Build & Renovate Issue #38

Inner

Hello, my name is Les Ryan.

I’m Christchurch born and raised. At 17 I started my first business – a fish & chip shop in Cashmere, and I have been in business ever since.

Like most people I have a wife and children. But that’s enough about me, what we want you to know is that as a customer of A+ Serivces you are well looked after, we highly value all our precious customers. And yes, sometimes things go wrong, but we run towards problems not away from them. So, if an issue arises (which doesn’t happen often) we have your back.

The benefits of using A+ Services:

• We are fully insured should anything go wrong

• Health and safety policies are in place (incl Covid-19 protocols)

• We have an office you can call with real people on the phones. Without any gimmicky phone service or call centre to deal with.

• We are an experienced team of 15 willing and ready to help you.

• All staff receive ongoing training.

• We cover Canterbury and other areas, such as Wanaka, Twizel, Tekapo, Hanmer Springs, etc. So, if you have a holiday home we can most likely take care of that as well

• We have plenty of 5 star ratings and a referral program in place

• Free quotes

• We can perform our services at your business as well as your home.

Our team of technicians offer a wide range of services and as happens with life, we all get older and busier so most our customers either cannot manage these services themselves, or would rather just pay to have someone else take care of it and have the added piece of mind.

The other services we offer include:

• Spiderproofing & other pest control (incl Borer treatment)

• Building Washing

• Carpet Cleaning

• Domestic Cleaning

• Meth Testing & Decontamination.

WINDOW CLEANING WITH A DIFFERENCE

When it comes to professional home window cleaning, why choose us?

Because our window cleaning is safe and effective. Our extendable water-fed pole system means we can thoroughly clean every single one of your windows using purified, low-pressure water and in most cases without using ladders. This keeps you, our team and your home safe from unexpected falls and ladder-related accidents.

PEST CONTROL

Spider Proofing

You will be amazed with the superior result you will get, no more creepy crawlies annoying you. You choose internal, external or both. With all technicians going through a new intensive 7 month course to keep up to date on health and safety and environmental regulations

Rats

& Mice

Do you want that dancing in the roof cavity to stop? Perhaps it’s the evidence as the “mice detector” you have found, what ever the situation we can help you. Call, Text, Facebook or email us.

CARPET CLEANING & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

Did you know most carpet manufactures are now requesting that your carpet is cleaned at no longer than 18 month intervals with a hot water extraction system with a temperature of at least 60 degrees, otherwise the warranty they offer is voided? Your carpet will appreciate the difference a clean with A+ Services will make. Have the reassurance that the dirt and grime build up will be gone leaving fresh clean carpet for you to enjoy.

GUTTER CLEANING

Are you worried about overflowing gutters damaging your home’s exterior or pests turning your leaf-filled gutters into their home?

Are you tired of spending hours and hours up a ladder trying to clean out your gutters? Call 027 714 4812 for a quote.

MOSS: MORE THAN A BAD LOOK

Moss does more than make your roof look old and unkempt, it can also damage the integrity of your roof. In the colder, wetter months, the weight of moss can strain and crack your tiles, leading to costly repairs. With our comprehensive moss removal and prevention treatment, you can enjoy a roof that looks better and lasts longer.

How does it work?

Using our specialized van mounted equipment we will safely spray our product, which will remove years of moss build-up from your roof tiles without damaging the integrity of your roof. Which not only protects your roof from moss growth but also algae and lichens. Seeping into your roof tiles, it stops spores from germinating and stays active for 3–4 years. (Product takes 6-12 months to be fully effective).

In this issue

Welcome

This issue of Build & Renovate Today starts out looking at ways to open up your home by making minimalism work. We go against the grain by embracing dark hues in home décor, look at living room essentials, and go a little country by embracing cottagecore interiors. There are also pieces on how creating you own wellness space, getting cosy at home, making guest rooms welcoming and what to plant when winter bites. Also included is information on upcyling and how to make use of what you’ve got, plus all the ingredients to make a magical home office, plus much more.

Enjoy.

Avon Insurance Brokers

Avon Insurance Brokers make understanding clients’ unique commercial insurance needs their business. They work with all insurers to source a tailored insurance solution to provide comprehensive protection for businesses.

With over 100 years combined experience, the Avon Insurance Brokers team offers a level of specialist and independent advice that is second to none, making commercial insurance simple and easy to understand. They have the resources and experience to manage all types of insurance. Expertise is particularly evident in the commercial property and liability areas that represent very real financial exposures to business operations in New Zealand. Avon Insurance Brokers’ formula for success within a competitive market place is quite simple. The provision of a professional and efficient customer service is given the highest priority.

Avon Insurance Brokers have a wide range of services to ensure their clients are receiving the very best advice. From public liability and business assets to professional indemnity and business interruption, contract works and machinery breakdown to commercial vehicle and additional covers, Avon Insurance Brokers can do it all. They understand that the insurance market is constantly changing and are prepared for any event – backed by their skills and knowledge so they can provide clients with the best advice.

Due to Avon Insurance Brokers not being tied to any one insurance company, they are able to provide their clients with

expert independent advice and find the best insurance products. They can offer the same options as larger companies whilst providing a more personal service. Plus, they’re available to visit clients at their business to discuss insurance requirements.

For an insurance broker team that offers independent advice that’s second to none, don’t hesitate to reach out to Avon Insurance Brokers. Give Brendan a call on 027 323 1275 or visit their website for more information; www.avoninsurance.co.nz.

Making minimalism work Opening up your home

By Michaela Pointon

A minimalist home style creates a sanctuary for you to relax and find peace. This design style has become increasingly popular in recent years, emphasising intentional home pieces and minimal clutter.

Shanly Simpson is a New Zealand Interior Designer who has spent over a decade designing stunning spaces in Los Angeles for high-end profile celebrities. Shanly now resides in Auckland. She shares some tips with us for creating the perfect minimalist home.

She says research shows that our environment significantly impacts our state of mind.

“Having soothing surroundings is paramount. That’s why I bring minimalism into my style, as it makes a space feel warmer and inviting and calms us down.”

“We must come home to a restful space, not one that is over-stimulating. Our home

is our haven and affects us emotionally,” she says.

Decluttering your home is Shanly’s first tip for creating the perfect minimalist interior style. Every piece of furniture should have a practical implementation - having a buffet cabinet for storage purposes or something as simple as an entrance console with a drawer dedicated to keys and wallets.

Adding functionality to every furniture piece in your home means less clutter and more space.

“Less is more, and the right piece, in the right place, with the right measurements, is vital. Sometimes this can be challenging to get right,” she laughs.

Shanly says adding different colours and textures in soft furnishings that complement each other is a way to incorporate less but have a substantial impact.

If you are considering redesigning your home to a minimalist style, you should take your time when decluttering. It is a personal experience, and not rushing this process means you will make conscious decisions when redesigning your space.

“Everyone has to go at their own pace. Some people have an emotional attachment to certain pieces of furniture or accessories.

“If you haven’t used a piece in a while, put it in the garage away from the eye, and you might realise you never needed it.”

Ensuring no ‘roadblocks’ caused by misplaced furniture pieces in your home is a great way to initiate the minimalist style. For example, open up an area by ensuring you don’t place furniture on every wall, such as in a small hallway.

“Having less furniture can have a bigger visual impact, but it must be harmonious. It can’t all be neutral. Don’t be scared to

have a great piece that makes a statement.”

Shanly points out that it’s much easier to change the accessories in your home than large furniture pieces.

Art can be essential in a minimalist environment. Texture can also be essential when utilising thick, knotted rugs or cushions.

Adding plants to your home is a clever way to incorporate warmth and create a soothing atmosphere since a traditional minimalistic style can sometimes feel cold.

Kohi Project - Living Room

Shanly Simpson

Every home has the potential to be as beautiful, minimal and calming as you desire. Spending the time to declutter and create a peaceful sanctuary is worth it.

Shanly is an expert interior designer, creating gorgeous home environments. “I’m always lucky and grateful to meet new people within my work. Every space creates an opportunity for beauty,” Shanly says.

To learn more about Shanly Simpson Designs, visit her website, where you can see more of her stunning interior design projects at shanlysimpsondesigns.com.

To get in touch with Shanly about designing your dream space, you can email her at: shanly@shanlysimpson.com

Images supplied by Shanly Simpson Designs.

Coatsville Project - Lounge

Edgy Elegance

Embracing the dark side of home decor

By Michaela Pointon

Adding dark elements and features to your home interior design style can create elegance, class and an expensive feel to any home.

In 2022, the internet saw the increase of popularity of the design style ‘Dark Academia’ and it’s not leaving anytime soon. Being edgy means being open to taking some design risks in the home. Opting for a darker colour palette instead of trending white-on-white palettes is not for the faint of heart, but will make a statement.

Deep colour palettes such as blacks, browns, maroons, and dark blues are amongst some of the popular shades. Adding bright pops of colour such as pinks, oranges or burnt mustard yellows are a great way to brighten the space while still being classy.

Adding pops of colour throughout the soft furnishings such as cushions, throws, vases or artwork pieces means this space will be easily adaptable and changeable when you’re in need of a refresh.

Consider taking antique furniture and upcycling this with a modern upholstery fix to take these pieces into the contemporary era. The shape of antique furniture is what makes these pieces appear timeless and adding your pop of colour through the sofa is another idea.

Materials such as gold tapware or brass handles in the bathroom or kitchen areas can instantly elevate a room with an edgy take too. Gold against a black splashback looks expensive and

classy. Other materials such as metals, timbers or stone can have an effective look too.

Opting for large square tiles in a living space with a rug to soften the space can take your dark mysterious space to elegant comfort. Creating a darker palette in a home, which still feels open is possible.

Add drama to your home with black tiles or a neon splash of paint on a feature wall to take the next step in your design style. Guests will love the uniqueness of your home and paint can always be painted over when it comes to reselling!

Real Homes UK says painting furniture the same colour as the wall, such as bookshelves, wardrobes or TV cabinets can stop a space from feeling cluttered and keep the room appearing more open. Adding dark florals such as wallpaper or murals onto your living room walls can be whimsical and intimate for a perfect psychedelic-esk living space feature.

You could also opt for a gallery wall with paintings in antique frames hung against a dark wall to add more brightness and continue the antique style. Gallery walls can be personal to your home and feature your favourite pieces of artwork.

This style also means you don’t have to just have one piece of artwork, as it is intentional to fill the wall space completely!

Real Homes UK suggests keeping the lighting warm in dark interiors will help with the luxurious feeling.

Use soft, warm brass or golden lampshades to help lightbulbs

look even warmer. If you can, adding lighting dimmer switches will help enhance the moody and atmospheric feel to any room in the house.

If you are considering renovating your space or building your new home and are deciding on the colour palette features for your space, dark edgy interiors may be perfect for you.

Use soft, warm brass or golden lampshades to help lightbulbs look even warmer. If you can, adding lighting dimmer switches will help enhance the moody and atmospheric feel to any room in the house.

Taking a risk on the design of your home can be scary but there are many different options available on the market to think ‘outside the box’ with your style. There are many elements to a dark interior home but if you can pull it off, this design style will be a classic for years to come!

Creating an elegant and edgy home has never been easier. If you want to read more about dark decorating ideas, make sure to check out: realhomes.com to find out more.

Deflated Lamp/Pendant

Lifestyles

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

A unique lighting solution, the Lukeke Deflated Lamp/Pendant can be used as a table lamp or suspended from the ceiling as a pendant light. The jade green glass creates a wonderful atmosphere and the undulating surface creates a fascinating aesthetic reminiscent of the open ocean. Forget boring and plain lights – this light will become a talking point of any room.

RRP: $1,400 | www.incdesignstore.co.nz

Long Wool Sheepskin Sexto Rug

When it comes to adding a bit of pizzaz to a room, nothing says luxury like a plush rug. This New Zealand sourced and manufactured long wool sheepskin rug is the epitome of comfort. This boutique size rug lends itself to any room and is perfect for nestling into with a good book. Its long and soft wool fibres create a warm and cosy atmosphere that is perfect for the cooler months.

RRP: $1,189 | www.rugsandmore.co.nz

Linspire Ventus Bookshelf

If you’re looking for a stylish and functional storage and display solution, this bookshelf is the answer. With tempered glass doors, moveable shelves and large compartments, this is truly a musthave for any modern home. Its clean lines and contemporary design add a unique touch to any room and its versatile storage options keep your items organised and impressive.

RRP: $1,099 | www.urbansales.co.nz

Whistler Lounge Chair with Ottoman

This eye-catching chair and ottoman is both visually delightful and wonderfully comfortable. A great way to relax after a long day, this chair has got you covered. It comes in beige, purple or blue and looks both stylish and comfortable. Perfect for the lounge, bedroom or any space where comfort is needed, don’t hesitate to put your feet up and relax.

RRP: $329 | www.ifurniture.co.nz

DISCLAIMER: Please note prices listed here are recommended retail pricing. Prices are subject to change at the discretion of the seller. The information on this page is for information purposes only. AMark Publishing NZ Ltd assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

IFI Aurora Music System

For a truly unique all-in-one music system, look no further than the IFI Aurora music system. Clad in bamboo and elevated by a distinctive aluminium frame, the design is striking. It mimics the grand scale of Japanese architecture – crisp, clean lines intertwined with a hint of vintage. It delivers a sound that combines purity of tone with a high level of engagement, speed and dynamic gusto, ensuring the emotive quality of music is delivered in full effect.

RRP: $2,999 | www.soundlab.co.nz

Angular attraction

This stunning central Christchurch home is all about creating space and angles.

Such is the level of design and craftsmanship that it took out the Resene New Home $2 million$4 million category at the 2022 Canterbury Master Builders’ House of the Year awards.

Built by John Garlick Builders, the project has been described as “A a highly challenging project, demanding utmost precision and craftsmanship to realise the artistic vision for this very beautiful house.

“Because of the home’s highly complex origami-inspired design, the sequencing of the build had to be planned with the utmost care.

“The result is a home that has been well thought through and appears almost jewel-like in its chiseled, precise appearance.”

The team at John Garlick Builders is a diverse, multi-talented building family led by Kade Atkinson.

“We understand the unique challenges of the area and welcome the opportunity to assist with your building project, whether it be a new architectural hill home, residential dwelling or renovations and extensions.”

The Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition recognises the very best homes, builders,

and craftsmen across New Zealand. The 2022 regional competition featured more than 295 entries across eight regions.

The Awards are made possible through the support of Altus Window Systems, Bunnings Trade, CARTERS, GIB, Master Build 10-Year Guarantee, Pink Batts, Plumbing World, Resene and APL Window Solutions.

Coffee tables

A coffee table is handy to have in the living room as people can easily put their drinks and food on the table while lounging on the sofa. For example, Target Furniture’s Brooks Two Drawer Coffee Table is the perfect size for most living rooms. www.targetfurniture.co.nz.

Dining table and chairs

A dining table and chairs are beneficial to have in the living room because it unites people by eating meals together. It is often placed in the middle or edge of the room, depending on the space of the living room, so it’s really up to the homeowners to decide where these will go. A tip would be to make the dining table and chairs match with the rest of the furniture in the room, i.e., if most of the furniture is dark – the dining table and chairs could have a dark shade/colour.

Sofas

Sofas are a must because everyone in the house will need somewhere to sit when they’re watching TV, eating, or chatting away. Depending on how big someone’s living room is will depend on what size the sofa will need to be. They come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. If many people will lounge around, get a three, four, or five-seater sofa, otherwise get a two-seater if it’s just one or two people. For example, Big Save Furniture’s Molesworth Dalton 3.5 seater sofa would be a great size for most living rooms. www.bigsave.co.nz

Artwork

Displaying artwork like a painting, canvas print, or poster would look really nice on the living room’s walls. It can be really meaningful, inspiring, or just showcase the homeowner’s personality. It also starts a conversation when guests visit and ask about the artwork on the wall. For example, Paula’s Home and Living’s framed canvas print - peeking cattle, which looks super eyecatching. www.paulas.co.nz.

Rugs

Rugs make homes feel more homely. The various colours, designs, and materials can create different looks; a more woolen rug could suit a dark-colored house and be placed by the fireplace/heater to enhance the living room’s look, and a softer rug may be more family-friendly and creates a cosier vibe. For example, Shut The Front Door sells Garcia Home’s white Chevron Jute Runner rug would suit any home with its white and natural colours. www.shutthefrontdoor.co.nz.

Essentially you Living room must-haves

By Natasha Parrant

Living rooms are safe, relaxing and inviting for homeowners and their guests. They should have particular furniture and items in them, so they feel homely, cosy and aesthetically-pleasing.

Paula’s Home and Living’s framed canvas print - peeking cattle. Photo kindly supplied by Paula’s Home and Living.

Big Save Furniture’s Molesworth Dalton 3.5 seater sofa. Photo kindly supplied by Big Save Furniture.

Target Furniture’s Brooks Entertainment Unit - W130. Photo kindly supplied by Target.

Entertainment units

This furniture is great for living rooms with TVs or ornaments. It can also be used as a storage space and looks great too because it won’t take up too much space. These can vary in size and colour, so again it depends on how big the living room is. Target Furniture’s Brooks Entertainment Unit - W130 would add warmth to a living room. www.targetfurniture.co.nz.

Bookcases

A bookcase can display many books and other items like China. It can be placed next to the entertainment unit. Anything that’s on it will stand out, so ensure it’s not messy and there’s not too much in it so it doesn’t look overcrowded. Target Furniture’s dark Haven Bookcase would stand out and has enough storage spaces. www.targetfurniture.co.nz

Screen

A TV is essential if homeowners like watching their TV shows, movies, sports, and/or the news. It’s truly a time to relax and bond with others by watching something together. A TV can vary in size and it can either be a smart or regular one. It can be placed on the entertainment unit or be attached to the wall and ideally should be placed in the southeast direction of the room opposite the sofa/s.

Throw pillows

These items should fit nicely with the sofa/s or chair/s that are in the living room. There are so many different colours and patterns to choose from. Homeowners could pick bright colours to show their energetic and fun mood/personality, or otherwise, they can’t go wrong with plain/neutral colours and colourmatch with other furniture in the house to play it safe, while looking modern and clean.

Coffee table books/other décor ornaments

Books and/or ornaments are very striking and add character to the living room. Homeowners can decide to get whatever they want – whether it’s an ornament of an animal, beautiful vases, travel souvenirs, stylish and modern magazines/books, flowers/plants, etc. The Décor Room stocks a flash Louis Vuitton catwalk book and a large sculpt elephant nickel that would suit any living room. www.thedecorroom.nz.

Shut The Front Door sells Garcia Home’s white Chevron Jute Runner rug. Photo kindly supplied by Shut The Front Door.

The Decor Room’s Louis Vuitton catwalk book and large sculpt elephant nickel. Photo kindly supplied by The Decor Room.

Target Furniture’s dark Haven Bookcase. Photo kindly supplied by Target.

Target Furniture’s Brooks Two Drawer Coffee Table. Photo kindly supplied by Target

Cottagecore

Embracing countryside style

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

Cottagecore is a fairly recent aesthetic popularised by internet subcultures. Developed throughout the 2010s and now a staple in modern aesthetic options, cottagecore is inspired by old-fashioned, rural lifestyles, which is characterised by rustic décor, fashion and nature.

Cottagecore is a nod to the traditional English countryside style.

Many people say cottagecore is a way to escape the stresses of the modern world –economically, socially and much more. It emphasises sustainability and leans heavily into nostalgia, which aided in escapism. It became very popular on social media during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Popular internet subculture it may be – but its aesthetic value cannot be overlooked.

Cottagecore creates a wonderful and almost whimsical feel to a home and has helped many people reconnect with the world around them and find peace in small tasks while learning to slow down and enjoy the moment.

A massive part of the cottagecore aesthetic is décor. Think mushroom embroidery, botanic floral prints, wooden surfaces, cast iron pans, ceramic crockery

and much more. Freshly baked bread sitting on a tin plate, a bunch of wildflowers in a jug of water or a bunch of dried herbs hanging from the ceiling. So, how can you incorporate the cottagecore aesthetic into your own home? It all depends on how far you want to go; if you just want a subtle hint of the aesthetic, you could find a few pieces of kitchenware or a rug for the main living space. If you want to really lean into the aesthetic, you can look at changing things like curtains, cushions, paint jobs, carpets and more. You can also incorporate cottagecore into your clothing choices.

Rustic and country style furniture really helps bring in that cottagecore aesthetic and, when decorated with linen cushions, makes a room feel very cosy. Cosiness is one of the key elements of cottagecore; that and natural elements. Try adding some wicker baskets for storing items such as blankets.

Fabrics that really sell the cottagecore aesthetic are primarily linens, knits, lace and denim. Prints include floral, botanic, gingham, plaid and more. Colours can really be anything earthy such as muted greens, yellows, soft browns and gentle blues. The idea is to create an organic and natural feel so organic fabrics are key. Avoid anything shiny or high-end like polyester or velvet.

Websites such as www.thecottagecore.com, www.etsy.com and www. amazon.com are some of the very many sites that offer a wide range of cottagecore inspired décor, clothing, trinkets and more.

For example, etsy sellers provide everything from cottagecore posters and prints featuring mushrooms, birds, plants and design inspiration. Amazon features many useful pieces of kitchenware that fit the aesthetic while The Cottagecore sells clothing that will really bring a sense of whimsy into your life.

Indoor plants are another great way to bring a sense of cottagecore into your home – anything that strengthens your connection to nature and that slower way of living life. Consider some easy-care plants in aesthetic pots to line the windowsills. Preserved flowers and herbs also add a lot to a room. It all comes down to how much you want to incorporate the aesthetic.

For example, in the kitchen, you may want to go all the way with ceramic mixing bowls, metal and wooden measuring spoons and vintage scales. However, that may not fit with your lifestyle, so ensuring you’re creating a workable blend of cottagecore and modern necessities makes it all the more fun.

The final addition to create a true cottagecore aesthetic is the garden. Even if you don’t have much room, creating a small but cute garden really helps. Grow some herbs in terracotta on a balcony, have a raised garden bed with some silver beet or lettuces. Anything to bring in that self-sufficient element into your life.

All in all, cottagecore is a wonderful way to bring a sense of peace and relaxation into your home and life. Whether you want to go all the way and create a whole world inside your home or you simply want to incorporate a few elements of the aesthetic into your life, it’s your choice. Have fun with it!

Think mushroom embroidery, botanic floral prints, wooden surfaces, cast iron pans, ceramic crockery and much more.

Creating a cosy and savvy entertainment room for your family to enjoy can be installed with these simple tips to elevate any living space.

Whether your dream entertainment space is an at home cinema theatre, games room for Artificial Intelligence

Screen dreams Home entertainment rooms

By Michaela Pointon and June Pfister

(AI) or audio ‘listening’ room, constructing the perfect media zone can be easily achieved.

Automation Associates New Zealand are workplace and home automation professionals who install innovative home and commercial media systems.

“Media rooms can be installed in virtually any space [including]

lounges, living rooms, rumpus rooms or in an open floor area of some sort.”

They say a media room is typically a multipurpose functional space with a relaxed seating environment to encourage entertaining. The social aspect to media rooms are another positive, sharing

moments with friends and family watching rugby or enjoying the latest film.

“A home theatre is a controlled environment designed purely for the enjoyment of a cinematic experience where the utmost attention has been paid to audio and visual systems and creating a distraction free environment.”

Adding ambient light, larger screens, surround-sound systems and comfy seating are some simple ways to elevate your space.

There are many lighting options available on the market such as dimmers, trending neon soffits of LED lighting along the ceiling, recessed lights or downward shining lights to give a cinematic feel.

Aesthetics are another important aspect to designing a luxurious entertainment room. Themes such as a dark mysterious theatre or pastel furnishings with warm-toned fairy lights are amongst the many potential design choices.

Choosing the right technology such as quality projectors, fullrange audio sound systems, advanced internet connection and acoustic sound treatment will make for a lavish home entertainment space.

Smart technology is continuously evolving, which means updating your current space is more possible than ever.

Install a suspending projector from the ceiling for an expensive touch and plan for the flow of signals with hidden wires in the soffits. Wireless is the trend and will make your room look as seamless as possible.

AI is a popular home gaming experience. Having an entertainment space to embrace the world of virtual reality means you can move freely without caution!

Investing in a media room is beneficial for any new house build or renovation and is sure to add to the resale value of your property.

Designing your dream entertainment space is more possible than ever. Renovate your existing rooms with a splash of dark paint or add fairy lights for an instant media rumpus room vibe.

If you would like to find out more about Automation Associations and read their advice about innovative technology spaces or smart home automation, visit aa.net.nz.

City apartment -putting the party into apartment

Inner calm

Creating your own wellness space

By Michaela Pointon

Creating a holistic space in your home to unwind and relax is essential to your overall wellbeing.

A wellness environment can be created using specific design tools to elevate your space into a peaceful temple.

There are many aspects to creating a wellness focused interior space, which considers your health and happiness in the home.

These include factors such as our ability to see outwards through big windows, natural lighting, views of nature, indoor air quality, ergonomics, scents, colour palettes and furnishing pieces.

Wellness is often considered spending a day at the spa or doing yoga on a Saturday with a coffee and friends. While these activities are good for the soul, routine wellness such as how we feel inside our homes (where we spend most of our time) is incredibly influential to our overall happiness.

Biophilic design

Connecting with nature by introducing plants and greenery into the home will instantly elevate your sanctuary space. Having a living plant which requires caring and attending too is also beneficial to your overall sense of personal self.

According to Mind the Interior, Biophilia is the idea that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life.

“It’s our inherent human connection to the natural world. Biophilic design is an innovative way to harness this affinity in order to create natural environments for us to live, work and learn,” they say.

A biophilic design concept might look like a plant wall, as seen in popular cafes, or hanging plants from the ceiling.

Residentially, nature can appear around us using macramé hanging plant pots or windowsill cacti to introduce a ‘little bit’ of biophilia into your home environment!

Lighting

Lighting is a crucial part of how we interact and feel in our environment.

Quality lighting could be considered the most important design factor in creating a safe home environment. There are many smart lighting options available on the market to mimic our natural circadian clock rhythm.

“Something as simple as natural light can provide a tremendous health and wellness boost. Many studies give us the proof [this] improves productivity, alertness, mood - and it can

even affect our physiological or psychological state.”

Mind the Interior also says daylight inhibits the production of melatonin, which ensures we feel tired when it gets dark. Daylight is important to ensure our body clocks are working properly when in our home environment.

Colour palettes

Different colours in our environments can also impact how we feel. Yes, aesthetics is important to our wellness! Colour is largely a matter of personal preference and emotional response, so choosing colours which resonate with you is essential.

Darker colours may create a feeling of intimacy and warmth, where brighter or lighter colours may invoke the feeling of airy and spacious. Finding a colour palette which makes you feel the most comfortable is the aim of the aesthetics game here!

Decluttering

Having less clutter in your room or space will also impact your feelings of positive wellbeing in the home. It might be right that a messy room means a messy mind. Clearing your space of unneeded goods means a peace of mind without focusing on your surrounding mess.

Finding a way to best organise your wardrobe with dedicated areas for specific pieces, or preplan outfits to minimise outfit changes in the morning to help continuously keep your room in a tidy state.

There are many factors to consider when creating a wellness sanctuary of your dreams. Introduce new houseplants into your space for an instant zest of life or spend this weekend clearing the wardrobe to get back on track.

If you would like to read more about wellness spaces and homes, make sure to check out www.mindtheinterior.com to find out more.

Something as simple as natural light can provide a tremendous health and wellness boost. Many studies give us the proof [this] improves productivity, alertness, mood - and it can even affect our physiological or psychological state.

Seasonal delights Getting cosy at home

By Natasha Parrant

With winter’s chill starting to bite, it pays to prepare for those really cold and wet days by getting cosy at home with all the essential things to get you through winter’s worst, such as duvets, throws and blankets.

Bed Bath and Beyond New Zealand is offering a lot of different winter warmer options to help Kiwis stay nice and warm this winter.

Home Chic Hooded Snuggle Blanket

The best-selling Hooded Snuggle Blanket by Home Chic showcases a super soft blanket with faux fur filling and pompom features, which is available this season in two hues. This blanket is perfect for those wanting to feel cosy, comfortable and warmer on those cooler days.

Cloud 9 500GSM Down Alternative Duvet Inner

Get better sleep quality with Bed Bath and Beyond’s Cloud

9 Down Alternative Duvet Inner by Cloud 9. The duvet inner is a high loft created with prime microfibre filled with hypoallergenic aspects to ensure people can have a good sleep. It has 500 Grams per Square Metre (GSM) of microfibre stuffing for extra cushioning and comfort, so people can easily go to sleep when it’s cold at night. It’s great for the cold because of the GSM thickness, which will definitely warm people up during winter.

Cosy & Co. Cosy Fleece Fitted Sheet and Pillowcase/s

The Cosy Fleece Fitted Sheet and Pillowcase/s by Cosy & Co. offers a comfy and lavish sleeping surface created with 100 percent polyester fleece plain dyed. They’re available in steel and light pink. These fitted sheets are soft and warm, so it’s great for cold weather.

BB&B Sleep Bed Socks Two Pack Lilac Check & White Stripe

Homeowners can keep their feet warm on cooler nights with the BB&B sleep two-pack bed socks. These soft bed socks come in different patterns and colours available online and come in a pack. They’re great for keeping people’s feet snuggly in bed. This bed sock pack in particular has one pair of lilac check socks and one white stripe pair.

Cloud 9 Multi-Zone Electric Blanket

Feel super cosy in bed with the Multi-Zone Electric Blanket, which will make anyone feel comfortable and relaxed. The blanket is an ideal add-on to someone’s bedding to keep them snuggly on those cold winter nights. People can easily change the temperature to their desired warmth with its portable controllers.

Hush Winter Warmer Set Grey

People will be able to keep warm and snuggled up during the cold months ahead with Bed Bath

and Beyond’s Hush

Winter Warmer Set. The set is a must-have product as it includes a hot water bottle, knitted hot water bottle cover and coordinating socks to make the best cosy care package. The set includes a one-litre hot water bottle, one knitted hot water bottle cover and a pair of socks.

Check BB&B online for more winterinspired products at:  www.bedbathandbeyond.co.nz.

Photos kindly supplied by Bed Bath and Beyond New Zealand.

Design Republique Plush Weighted Blanket

Homeowners can feel cosy with the Plush Weighted Blanket. This product was made to help people sleep. The luxurious weighted blanket gives an even weight distribution to form a sense of security and well-being as people get some sleep and/or rest.

Home away from home

Making guest rooms welcoming

By Natasha Parrant

Guest rooms can often be neglected or ignored, but if your house has a guest room, it’s a good idea to ensure it has all that it needs to make it a liveable and enjoyable space when guests stay - even if it’s used as a home office most of the time.

Below are some ideas of essential furniture pieces a guest room needs.

Beds, pillows and blankets

Firstly, it will be beneficial for guests who are staying in the guest room to have a space where they can sleep and feel comfortable during their stay. They should have some nice clean sheets, a duvet, a duvet inner, pillows, cushions, and a blanket to throw over the bed. All of these will make a nice touch and look really good in the bedroom.

Bedside tables

A bedside table or two will be great for guests, so they can put their phone, keys, water, book, or whatever it may be right next to them instead of having to place it on the ground. If most accommodation has a bedside

That personal touch...

table, then that’s how you know it’s essential for guests. Head to Freedom Furniture, Mocka or Treasure Box.

Lamps

A lamp is crucial if someone doesn’t have a phone, torch or doesn’t want to rely on their phone screen to create a little bit of light. A lamp is a suitable option especially when a guest is already tucked into bed and shouldn’t have to walk all the way towards the door to turn the main light on and off.

Desks

A desk is a good idea for you if you work from home and need to have an office space set up, but it’s also great for guests to use when they’re just relaxing and need somewhere to go that’s not the bed. They can do their work, write, or chat, so it’s just

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a useful piece of furniture for everyone. Head to Early Settler, Harvey Norman, or Work from Home Desks.

Chairs

Whether it’s a home office swivel chair or a comfortable stable one, a chair is a great idea for you and your guests to use when sitting at the desk. Go to Target Furniture, Paula’s Home and Living, Farmers, etc.

TVs

A TV is a great idea for guests because it will give them some

entertainment during their stay. It can be attached to the wall, so another desk or entertainment unit doesn’t have to be installed, which will ultimately take up more space.

Storage space

Guests will need to have a space where they can put their clothes in, so a wardrobe and/or closet is essential. You can buy storage boxes, hangers and other wardrobe organisers if need be, so guests have enough space to store their things in a tidy manner.

Winter growth Plants to tame winter’s worst

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

With winter right on our doorstep it’s time to think about what plants to put in the ground.

Although New Zealand is prone to cold snaps, frosts and snow in some regions, both outdoor and indoor gardens can still flourish and contain tasty or nice-looking plants.

If you live in a particularly cold region of the country, it might take some trial and error to figure out what’s going to grow outside without succumbing to the frosts.

Here are some top plants to grow during the winter that will bring you joy, tastiness, colour and aroma during the dull months.

Vegetables

Mitre 10 says that brassicas, leafy greens, alliums and winter root vegetables should all do well this season. New Zealand’s winter crop time is from June through to September.

• Broccoli

• Cauliflower

• Cabbage

• Kale

• Brussel sprouts

• Lettuce

• Spinach

• Silverbeet

• Onions

• Leeks

• Garlic

• Shallots

• Carrots

• Beetroot

• Parsnip

• Broad beans.

Flowers

You might not think that many flowers enjoy the winter time but there are plenty of plants that give a lovely pop of colour in the months where the garden is looking a bit dull. Palmers says you can pop these flowers in pots on the patio or straight in a garden bed.

• Hellebores (winter roses)

• Polyanthus

• Pansies

• Calendula

• Ornamental kale

• Camellias

• Violas

• Snap dragon

• Cornflowers.

When planting for the colder months, ensure plants are going to get enough sunlight and remember that the suns’ location changes subtly from summer to winter. These vegetables are all full of nutrients with many being very easy to grow.

Visit: www.mitre10.co.nz.

Flowers are a great way of encouraging pollinators such as bees into your garden, even during the cold months, to ensure they’ll be on hand in the spring. Consider getting hold of a bee hotel so they have somewhere to sleep and hide away from the cold. There are plenty to choose from online as well as in your local gardening stores.

Visit: www.palmers.co.nz.

Herbs

Herbs are a fairly hardy collection of plants and most are tolerant of winter. However, in colder areas of New Zealand, some can suffer cold damage. Bunnings says its important not to over pick most herbs in the winter –they need plenty of time to recover and take longer to produce new growth.

• Rosemary

• Chives

• Sage

• Oregano

• Thyme

• Coriander

• Parsley

• Dill.

Avoid planting herbs such as sweet basil or lemon verbena as they won’t handle the cold very well. However, you could plant cold-tender plants like that in a pot indoors with your houseplants and then transfer them outdoors again when the weather warms up. Visit: www.bunnings.co.nz.

Indoor pursuits

Getting crafty when it’s cold

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

Winter is well on the way and we all know that means cold and often wet weather that stops you from getting out and about. On days when you’re stuck inside, it’s easy to get bored. Sinking your teeth into something new, exciting and engaging is a great way to get through bad weather and avoid becoming sedentary. Arts and crafts are both fun and useful – you can create wonderful additions to your home. Even if you don’t think you’re very crafty, there’s something out there for everyone.

From hobbies such as knitting and cross stitch to things like

dip dying your own clothes or weaving a basket, there’s a craft for every skill set. So, while the rain pours and you’ve got a spare hour or two, consider taking advantage of winter to learn a new craft. Here’s some top ideas to get you started.

Crochet is a wool based craft, almost similar to knitting, that only needs a crochet hook and some wool. Although crossing the first skill hurdle can be difficult, once you’re past that point, you can make pretty much anything. A soft toy? You can crochet that. A new cover for a cushion? You can crochet that too.

Felting is another wool-based craft and can be done one of two ways; with a needle or with soapy water. Needle felting is great fun and involves stabbing wool with a special needle until it fuses together. Water felting involves getting everything warm, soapy and wet and moulding it into a shape. You can even make a pair of slippers this way.

Drying herbs and flowers is a lovely way of preserving the spring and summer. There are many ways to do this; you can press leaves and flowers or hang them in a warm, dry environment. You can also dry bunches of herbs to use later when the plants are struggling in the cold. They look incredibly aesthetic too.

Making things out of clay can be as quick or as complicated as you like. From simple shapes to your very own crockery, it can be fun and rewarding to work with clay. Some clays can simply be left overnight to dry and others

can be put in the oven until they become very solid. Clay creations can also be painted and sealed so they’re waterproof.

Wood carving is a great way to create very useful things like bowls and spoons. You do need a few tools and nice cuts of wood for this but once you’re set up, things can get satisfying very quickly. From a salt box to a set of wooden dice, you’re only limited by your imagination with this craft.

Arts and crafts are both fun and useful – you can create wonderful additions to your home. Even if you don’t think you’re very crafty, there’s something out there for everyone.

UpcyclingMaking use of what you’ve got

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

Whether you’re renovating a room, the whole house or simply updating the look of a space, utilising what you’ve already got laying around is a sustainable and creative way of making something new.

Upcycling is a common practice these days and involves giving furniture and other items a new lease on life. This can be done in a variety of ways such as painting, sanding, rebuilding and much more.

In an age of recycling and actively reducing waste, it’s important to decide if you really need to throw something away or whether it can have another use.

Most pieces of furniture have a lot of potential in them and, with a bit of time and elbow grease, can look fabulous. Although it’s common practice on the internet for people to paint over wooden surfaces to modernise them, it’s good to remember that wood can look as good as new when loved.

Any nice piece of wood can be brought back to its glory days by stripping any paints and varnishes, properly sanding it back and then polishing it with wood polish. This can immediately create a unique and individual piece of furniture that can give a room a vintage or timeless look.

If a wooden piece of furniture isn’t made out of a nice piece of wood or doesn’t look good

stripped back, giving it a nice paint job can really bring out its potential. Create a statement piece by using a bold colour or make a nice piece of background furniture using a more neutral colour.

Another thing to remember is that a piece of furniture doesn’t have to be used for its original intended purpose. A bookcase could become a crockery hutch and a chair could be fashioned into an interesting shelf with a bit of chopping and changing. A cable spool could be done up and turned into a round bookcase and a chest of drawers could become a desk.

It’s not just old furniture that can be reused either; doors, windows, shutters, planks of wood and much more can be used with a bit of imagination and work. An old door could become a coffee table, the glass from old windows could be crafted into a miniature indoor greenhouse and planks of wood can easily become shelving.

When it comes to upcycling and reusing furniture, the world is your oyster. Anything has potential if you give it time and put in some work. So, before you take a load of things to the dump when renovating your home, make sure you have a decent look through and figure out if anything can be used. You might just find a hidden gem.

Starting from scratch

By Natasha Parrant

Part 3: Finishing touches

Secure Scaffold manager

Nathan Applegarth helped build his own new house in Christchurch.

In the past, he explained the demolition and foundation process, then the main structure, and now he discusses the finishing touches; what it was like dealing with the surfaces of the house, the appliances, the lights, and so on.

Nathan says the exterior part of the house went well.

However, “The cladding took a while to get on just due to the weather at the time. Going into winter was definitely quite

difficult to have all the plastering completed, but it got there in the end”.

There was a big delay with the appliances, he says. He ordered all the appliances six months in advance, but the appliances weren’t in stock when he went to grab them.

Nathan ended up having to make some changes, like getting a different oven colour to be able to get the final sign-off sooner than later, as he needed to have an oven in place to get a sign-off.

“We ended up having to change the colour, which had come out alright.”

Reliable Garage Doors

Nathan and his family got a brushed stainless coloured oven but were meant to get a black one. Regardless, they’re happy with how it turned out.

Dealing with the lighting was a smooth process, as the electrician was really good throughout the entire process, Nathan says.

The architectural designs where all the lighting was meant to go led to Nathan adding a few extra bits and pieces to the tread lights down the hallway, “which are really, really good.”

He also set up sensor lights.

“You don’t have to have all the lights on down in the hallway, so if you’ve got kids sleeping and whatnot, it’s pretty handy.”

Other great additions Nathan put in were outdoor lighting and one large pendant light in the kitchen.

Challenges that arose during the completion of the build was getting the driveway done because of the bad weather, which made it difficult to complete, Nathan says.

Nathan had to do a couple more months’ worth of work after

moving in, but it’s all done and dusted now, which is good.

“We still had quite a lot to do when we moved in – all the landscaping and stuff like that, but I guess it’s just sort of how it is when you build a house on a budget.”

Nathan advises other homeowners who want to help build their own home to sit down with an architect and if they were to purchase land, they should

think about what they’re able to do with it. For Nathan, they had land purchased already so they were confined to what they could do with that land.

“Depending on the house you wanted to build, you’d be looking at what sort of land you’re buying. If you want to avoid resource consent you can only cover a certain amount of your land without getting another resource consent.”

Home office ingredients

How to make working from home a breeze

By Nicole D’Almeida

Times are changing, and so is the culture around the way we work. These days, more businesses and employees are opting for either a hybrid or fully remote workweek.

While this may sound hugely appealing at first, the truth is that if you don’t set your workspace up correctly the appeal is going to dissipate really quickly.

Living the dream vs. living the reality

Let’s picture what working from home or a remote location could be like for a moment, shall we?

You get the freedom to work from a funky café with a beach view, cuddle your dog or kids whenever you want to, or work in pyjamas from the comfy safe haven of your bed - I mean, what’s not to love, right?

In reality, the novelty quickly wears off when your back begins to hurt, you knock your laptop or coffee over, or you have to start sending messages to your colleagues via seagull post because your WIi-Fi or reception keeps cutting out.

Don’t get us wrong, we’re all about that WFH life. However, what we’re even more passionate about is setting up a workspace that has a positive impact on your productivity, energy, mood, and overall health.

Decide where to place your WFH Desk

Where you place your desk can have a huge influence on your workday and well-being. If you can, look for a spot that has plenty of light, is close to the Wi-Fi router, and is as free of distractions as possible.

Alternatively, you may want to be around your pets or loved ones, in which case you might want to create a space that you can all share.

Choose the right lighting and décor

If you work at night, or your space doesn’t get a lot of natural light, you might want to consider getting a desk lamp. In addition to increasing your workspace visibility, certain lighting can also improve your mood and sleep quality.

Two examples of mood lighting could be adding something like a salt lamp to your desk, or hanging LED fairy lights around your space.

These may not be the greatest light sources for increasing your visibility, but they may bring you joy when you look at them and motivate you to spend more time at your desk.

When you’re exposed to blue light during the day, it helps to regulate your sleep cycle. This is achieved by suppressing your melatonin levels, a hormone responsible for helping you sleep at night, which makes you feel less drowsy and more alert.

Sunlight is the biggest source of blue light, however, when you can’t be exposed to it naturally, you can replace it with blue and orange LED lights designed to mimic the setting and rising of the sun.

Alternate between sitting and standing

At WFH Desks, we use our chairs as a 15-minute resting area between standing.

This way, you get the benefits from standing, without the potential risks involved with sitting or standing all the time. Of course, this isn’t a hard rule, as we understand everyone’s situation is unique.

To incorporate this sitting and standing workflow with minimal effort, tall bar stools can be used and set aside easily, so that you don’t have to readjust your desk from sitting to standing each time you make the switch.

If you prefer to sit when you work, set yourself reminders to stand up and stretch regularly in order to promote a healthy body and mind.

Visit: www.workfromhomedesks.co.nz.

Nicole D’Almeida is the PR coordinator and copywriter at Work From Home Desks.

WFH Desks’ desks for the family.

WFH Desks’ desk with light and décor.

WFH Desks’ desk close-up.

Kitchen Trends 2023

By Natasha Parrant

Renovating or styling a kitchen allows homeowners to be experimental, add to the space and display neat design trends to stand out.

Here are some of this year’s modern and pristine kitchen trends to get kitchen inspiration.

Trends Kitchens is best known for designing, manufacturing and installing a wide range of award-winning, quality and personalised kitchens and joinery for people in Aotearoa.

Trends Kitchens designer/ consultant, Abbey says, the latest kitchen trends in 2023 are, “Textured panelling, height and depth variation, earthy and organic tones, incorporating mixed metals, curves, and bespoke shelving”.

Trends Kitchens designer/ consultant, Sarah says, these kitchen trends are popular because of their textures, curves and visual variations, which make kitchens look interesting and sophisticated.

“Earthy and organic tones create a warm and inviting space moving away from the clinical look. The concept of the kitchen shines with a more neutral pallet.

“Embracing a paired back industrial feel by incorporating metals and steels can aid with function while creating flare to the kitchen.”

The Trends Kitchens experts shared other helpful advice as to where homeowners can start with renovating their kitchens to incorporate these 2023 kitchen design trends.

Sarah says starting the planning early and coming up with a budget is essential and is the first step to including the latest kitchen trends. However, she acknowledges that homeowners need to ensure incorporating a 2023 kitchen trend still goes well with everything else in the house, so the current design trends and the flair/look of the rest of the house are balanced.

“While all these trends are current, ensure there is a continuation to other spaces in the house to avoid a disconnect, Sarah says. “Plan your space so it’s fit for purpose and accommodates your kitchen storage requirements.”

“Before meeting with a designer establish your design style and specific details you wish to incorporate,” Abbey says. Check out trendskitchens.co.nz for more inspiration.

Photos kindly supplied by Trends Kitchens.

Modern predominantly black and white kitchen with some earthy tones.

Another funky kitchen benchtop designed by Trends Kitchens.

One of Trends Kitchens’ latest showrooms full of the latest trends.

At Palazzo Kitchens

Christchurch we design, supply and install precision

German made joinery to the whole of the South Island.

We have a fantastic kitchen showroom in Mandeville Street Christchurch, with 10 fully assembled kitchens and our kitchen designers on hand to answer any questions you may have. We have a huge range of samples and colours for you to look at, benchtop samples, splashback samples and kitchen joinery samples. Because we design our kitchens here, and they

are made in Germany, we are accessing the latest technology and trends directly from Europe. The combination of precision made Germany joinery, with local design expertise is a combination that has led to the success of Palazzo which is a long-standing Canterbury business.

With an in-house install and project management team, we can take care of your project from design right through to install. We service the wider South Island via online screen sharing presentations, using our photo-realistic software and we are ready to design and install your dream kitchen anywhere throughout the South Island.

Ticking the boxes

By June Pfister

If you’re thinking about renovating your own home, there are various consents and codes which you will need to adhere to, so it pays to do your research before starting your next project.

Everyone loves a great DIY or reno (renovating) project. Many people invest in older buildings as a productive hobby and once these are fully renovated, owners will move in or sell the property.

With any building renovation in New Zealand, you may need to apply for a building consent, however this depends on the scale of what your project is.

If you want to do any restricted building work inside your own home, you can apply for an owner-builder exemption at your local council. Restricted building

work is renovations which affect a homes’ primary structure.

According to the consumer protection New Zealand government website, electrical work can be completed by yourself legally, if you have the skills, live in the house or own the property yourself.

Plumbing work that you are required to contract a plumber for includes sanitary plumbing, such as installing or fixing bathtubs, urinals, sinks and more.

If your property shares council utilities, such as drains or piping there may be legal action required by your local council.

If you have ever considered renovating a heritage building or building on a heritage site there may be different rules and regulations. Councils must contribute to heritage protection

under legislation including multiple different acts:

• The Resource Management Act 1991

• The Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014

• The Building Act 2004

• The Local Government Act 2002.

Local councils will have their own requirements listed on their individual websites in regards to preserving local character and protecting heritage buildings. Wāhi tapu (sacred sites) may not be identified on a LIM (Land Information Memorandum) report. A LIM is a brief report with information on specific properties or buildings, according to the Auckland council.

If a site is suspected of being a heritage site, owners are advised

to contact Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, local iwi or the local council.

If you need advice on which applications or consent forms to apply for regarding your home renovation, make sure to contact your local council for more information.

The New Zealand government has many resources to support home owners in the process of building and renovating. To find out more visit: www.govt.nz.

With any building renovation in New Zealand, you may need to apply for a building consent, however this depends on the scale of what your project is.

Why it’s always a good time for tiles

With 30 years of experience, the team at Tile Space knows everything about custom tiles and wallpapers, why it’s important to use, and why they’re beneficial for residential and commercial builds.

According to Tile Space New Zealand, there’s a Tile 101 booklet that discusses the benefits of tiles and why people should use tiles when building.

Firstly, tiles are:

Easy to maintain

• Tiles are stain-resistant, strong, and easy to clean

• Just use soapy water to do a quick clean, but tiles can also deal with harsh cleaners if need be.

Holds up in high-traffic areas

• Porcelain floor tiles are great in busy and chaotic homes and look better/more modern and have better longevity than other surfaces.

Water-resistant

• New tiles don’t soak up water so they’re great for bathrooms and inside showers.

Indoor and outdoor-friendly

• Suits both indoor and outdoor installation as tiles are great for making a cohesive surrounding inside or outside.

Can be installed with underfloor heating

• Tiles are great heat conductors and can be used with underfloor heating

• Tile Space sells ‘Hotwire’ which is an affordable and easy to install under-tile heating system.

Fire resistant

• Tiles get can get heated to more than 1200 degrees and it won’t matter

• Tiles are non-inflammable and won’t produce toxic chemicals in a fire.

Other benefits include: They’re environmentally friendly, affordable, will always look brand new, ideal for people with allergies, and all tiles come with a 10-year guarantee but Tile Space comes with a 15-year warranty.

For more information on the different types of tiles, the importance of lighting in a tile installation, size, and more. What are you waiting for? Install tiles in your house to utilise all these benefits and check out www.tiles.co.nz, to see more inspiration, advice, and a range of tiles which includes: marble, concrete, stone, decorative, and subway looking tiles – there’s lots to choose from!

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With over twenty years’ experience in residential and commercial tiling, we guarantee your job will be completed to the highest industry standards.

With more than 50 years’ experience in the construction sector we are well aware of the needs of the industry. This means we realise how important the safety of your best asset – your staff – is to you and your company’s future.

So, as a local company servicing Cantabrians in the re-build of Christchurch, we are committed to the safety of your staff.

And when you deal with us you’re dealing with the owner, which means you receive a superior and speedy service – every time.

Our extensive construction knowledge ensures we understand local compliance issues and we realise how critical your deadlines are and we guarantee to be on time – check out our Secureguarantee.

• We guarantee to beat any written quote by 10%

• We guarantee to return all quotes within 48 hours otherwise you will receive the first week rental FREE of charge!

By using Securescaffold you can rest assured that your objectives of safety, cost and meeting deadlines are of paramount importance.

All our equipment is rigorously tested to the highest of standards.

Securescaffold covers all NEW WorkSafe working height requirements providing fall protection for builders, painters, home handyman and roofers on new and existing home constructions.

Shaye’s Tiny Homes

By Natasha Parrant

Tiny homes are a great option financially and environmentally.

The modern and unique designs stand out, it’s fast and efficient to build, there’s less waste in the building process, fewer materials, more flexibility, reduced energy use, and it makes it easier for homeowners to maintain and clean.

A tiny home company in Aotearoa that stands out from the rest is Shaye’s Tiny Homes for their beautiful, practical and

modern designs and high quality, cosy tiny homes.

Shaye’s Tiny Homes began in 2013 when the founder, Shaye Boddington, needed to find a place to stay. She says she had to think outside the box regarding how she was going to be able to afford accommodation because housing is less affordable in Auckland.

Shaye had recently completed a design degree and always had an interest in alternative housing.

The belief that everyone deserves to live a passionate life and that this is much easier to do when living without financial struggle in a safe and comfortable home - even if that means a small home.

Before she knew it, her very first do-it-yourself tiny house was established as she had the skills and support to go ahead with the tiny house project.

She designed and built her first tiny home called Lucy. Her and her ex-partner bought some land and wanted an affordable and sustainable home for them and their daughter, so they preferred the tiny home concept. It started as a one-off passion project that turned into a career.

The business has successfully grown over time and Shaye works closely with her builder Dylan along with 20 other team members.

Together, they utilise Shaye’s experienced design knowledge and the team of builders and support team’s skillset to design and build 25-30 tiny homes annually.

In terms of what inspires Shaye to continue running her business, it would have to be, “The belief that everyone deserves to live a passionate life and that this is much easier to do when living without financial struggle in a safe and comfortable homeeven if that means a small home”.

Shaye hopes that by getting people into their own tiny homes they will be able to go out into their communities and work with purpose and passion, she says.

Shaye is also inspired by simply stunning things and really loves beautiful small spaces. She thinks it’s great that tiny homes can be shipped nationwide.

Often her tiny homes provide to clients in the North Island, and

r u r u t i n y h o m e s i s a l o c a l l y o w n e d a n d o p e r a t e d f a m i l y b u s i n e s s t h a t d e s i g n s a n d c r e a t e s N e w Z e a l a n d m a d e t i n y h o m e s . U s i n g e t h i c a l a n d s u s t a i n a b l e p r a c t i c e s , s u p p o r t i n g l o c a l b u s i n e s s e s a n d t h e c o m m u n i t y .

W e o f f e r a f i x e d p r i c e h i g h q u a l i t y

b u i l d w i t h e f f i c i e n t b u i l d s c h e d u l e s .

I n m o s t c a s e s a b u i l d i n g c o n s e n t i s

n o t r e q u i r e d .

Locally built in Whangārei & Motueka

w w w . r u r u t i n y h o m e s . n z

form of advertising you can measure, then increase or decrease, so you can manage your workflow accordingly!

You’ve probably heard people talk about digital marketing, Google AdWords, online traffic, SEO and social media. Then on top of all that, you need to have a lead generating web presence with good traffic etc.

This can sound complicated – but it doesn’t have to if you talk to the right people.

Let’s start with the basics

Right now there are people looking for a business just like yours. However, if you don’t have AdWords, there’s a very good chance they’ve just clicked one of your competitors’ websites.

Most businesses would benefit from Google AdWords. It’s simple to set up, it’s fast, you set the monthly budget, and you can see the results immediately.

Included is a complimentary call tracking service to measure daily results, plus you get a monthly report that’s explained in as much detail as you like.

their licensed partners Wanaka Tiny House Factory and Nelson Tiny House Factory can build tiny homes for clients wanting her designs in the South Island.

When Shaye experienced living in her first tiny home, not many people knew of the idea or comprehended what it was about.

During the last decade, tiny homes have become borderline conventional and more people these days know someone who lives in a tiny home.

“The whole team gets great satisfaction from finishing a project and seeing it come together – there’s often something to learn from a completed home and usually something small to improve on but we see this as a good thing because we continually get better and better.”

For more tiny homes inspiration visit: www.shayestinyhomes.com

We have many success stories where people have thought marketing is a waste of money, but have finally found something that gives them a transparent Return on Investment.

If you would like to be our next success story, please email: enquiries@fatweb.co.nz

We have offices throughout New Zealand and can discuss your needs over the phone or by Skype.

Don’t let another year go by without truly discovering what digital marketing can do for your business.

With years’ of experience and having delivered outstanding results, we have some of the best digital experts in the business.

We are so confident, that if you aren’t 100% happy after the first month, you won’t pay a cent for the management fee. And if you mention this ad, set-up is free – a service other companies charge up to $3,000 for.

FREE call tracking, which means you can actually hear recordings of the phone calls coming into your business to see if your staff are doing things correctly or if they need more training. This tool can make a massive difference to the FAT on your bottom line. Available to the first 25 people who book a consultation.

With 15 years’ experience - we know what we’re doing.

Call 0800 FATWEB, or email enquiries@fatweb.co.nz to book a FREE consultation.

But if you want your company to grow, you need to hire the right people.

You need people that are not only right for the now but can also help you move the business towards bigger and better things in the future.

This is especially so for smaller businesses and startups because they have fewer employees and a limited income with which to work.

For these companies every single dollar they spend on finding and hiring an employee can affect their longer term success, meaning it’s vital that they avoid making major mistakes while hiring.

But the trouble is that running a small business is hard work and there often simply isn’t the time to commit to a thorough hiring process; and as result, corners get cut.

The good news is that your competitors are probably making these mistakes whilst hiring as well. This means there’s an opportunity for you to seize; to waste less time and money by hiring right so you can get back to running your company.

Mistake 1 - NOT HAVING AN INTERVIEW PLAN

The single biggest hiring mistake small business owners make is winging it or not having an interview plan. At best they’ll have a few questions written down on a piece of paper, but little else.

You need to treat an interview like a deductive science. You’ve sorted through all the resumes and selected the best individuals to be interviewed – but now you need a better way of evaluating their suitability for the role than just having a chat and going with your gut.

You achieve this by having an interview plan.

First – decide what questions are the most important, and ask them to each candidate.

Second – know what answers you’re looking for. Then you can assess each answer objectively and place candidates in pecking order.

This doesn’t have to be an iron-clad, exactly repeatable process – but it does need to have some consistency to it so you can accurately assess candidates’ answers in relation to each other.

If you just wing each interview, the direction, tone and outcome of each conversation can vary wildly, making it more difficult to compare candidates to each other. The outcome of this can be that, despite spending all that time interviewing people, to a certain extent, you’re still none the wiser.

Then, the chances are, when it comes to deciding who to hire, you’re going to go with your gut, as you won’t reliably be able to compare one answer to another because you didn’t ask each candidate a few standard questions you can compare them by.

So, a little planning can go a long way towards helping you make an informed and considered choice of who to hire, as opposed to just sitting down with each individuals, having a completely random chat, and then hoping you get it right.

Mistake 2 - OVERVALUING EXPERIENCE

It is risky to bet too heavily on how much experience a person has, when there are so many factors that determine whether someone will be successful in the role and a good fit for your organisation.

An applicant’s skills, knowledge, aptitude and personality all factor into the equation.

Because experience is a tangible and measurable component, it is very easy to overvalue it above less easily measurable factors such as intelligence, drive, and other components of raw talent.

Experience accumulates with time in the role and skills can be learned and acquired. Your next great employee might be someone with limited experience, but who has fantastic aptitude and flexibility.

Placing too much stock on a heavy list of qualifications in your job description, or only considering applicants with x amount of experience and not considering other factors, means you might be turning a blindeye to someone better suited to the role and your company’s culture.

However, this is a double-edged sword and there is a flip side.

If you’re looking to hire someone without any experience in the hope of finding someone cheaper – you might be buying into a false economy.

Ignoring a candidate with what you consider to be necessary experience in the hope of saving a few thousand dollars a year by hiring an unproven person, might not actually save you anything, due to the amount of on-the-job training and potentially decreased productivity the less experienced employee will deliver.

So, as with all aspects of running your business, you need to find a balance.

But it definitely pays to consider more than just the experience a candidate comes with. You want someone with the potential to grow into the perfect for your company.

Mistake 3 - ASSUMING THE HIRING PROCESS ENDS ONCE THEY’RE HIRED

This is a common mistake many small business owners make.

An employee’s productivity is comprised of 50 percent ability [the reasons you hired them], and 50 percent of what happens once they’re in the workplace.

So conducting a good interview, offering that promising person the job and them saying ‘yes’ is only half the task.

Employees need to be properly induced and introduced to your company, well trained and supported.

It doesn’t matter how impressed you are with someone’s potential – poor training, insufficient access to resources, and little feedback will add up to poor job satisfaction and this will impact their performance.

So recruitment doesn’t stop at the ‘welcome aboard’ handshake – you need to make sure they are introduced, trained and supported every step of the way.

If you would like to talk to one of our consultants about your recruitment needs, please contact us on:

0800 88 00 18 | info@nzrecruit.co.nz

www.nzrecruit.co.nz

Hiring new employees is not an easy process. You’ve got to wade through a mountain of applications, weed out the few you’re interested in and then interview all the candidates – all while still running your company.

Helping build a region

Established in 2016, Jeffery Dennison Builders Ltd has been providing building services to the Otago region.

Jeffery Dennison Builders (JD Builders) owner, Jeffery Dennison, says this gives homeowners another choice in the market. They offer quality workmanship and reasonable pricing for their clients.

Jeffery says the company specialises in the renovation of existing houses and creating new builds in the residential sector.

“Commercial work has included substantial refits for schools and building new barns for farmers,” he says.

Like many other companies within the industry, JD Builders faced some intense challenges

during the Covid-19 pandemic, most stemming from ensuring they had an adequate supply of products for their various projects when the logistic chain was severely disrupted.

“Unlike many other builders, when we are involved in a new project, we purchase all the supplies ahead to ensure we have them on time when required, ensuring a speedier and smooth completion of the task and, as a result, happier clients,” Jeffery says.

The team at JD Builders understands that every construction project is unique. Clients’ consultants, occupants, supply chains and authorities form part of a team that is always created explicitly for each new project.

JD Builders enjoy working with people and thrive on resolving any challenges on projects as they think outside the square and go the extra mile for all of their clients. They’re proactive, forthcoming and supportive.

JD Builders have had many highlights and moments they’re proud of.

They worked on the restoration of a magnificent country house in Herbert, Otago, which included replacing the roof with a slate-like product, restoration of the Oamaru stone exterior, installation of double-glazed windows, replacement and painting of barge and fascia boards, substantial areas of tiling outside on the north and west verandas, along with inside around the fireplace, they also replaced the kitchen floor for the clients.

“It was a pleasure to be involved and entrusted with this project working for some really nice people,” says Jeffery.

Over the last 12 months, as the staff members and expertise of JD Builders has grown, they have branched out and expanded in more light commercial work, including providing their services to the Ministry of Education. They’ve been involved in

Unlike many other builders, when we are involved in a new project, we purchase all the supplies ahead to ensure we have them on time when required, ensuring a speedier and smooth completion of the task and, as a result, happier clients.

substantial work for renovation in schools, including installation of double-glazed windows, new roofing and miscellaneous interior refits.

“We now have staff in Dunedin, Waikouaiti and Palmerston through Otago and offer our builders services for the whole Otago area,” explains Jeffery.

“We are especially active in the Dunedin, East Otago, Maniototo and, West Otago regions and are looking to expand further.”

JD Builders can assist with selecting and designing time and cost-efficient construction strategies that can preserve architectural features.

They bring the resources of their team to the table who will assist you in achieving your build to the highest standard.

Jeffery Dennison Builders

9 Stromness Street

Palmerston, Otago 027 354 1754

jeff@jdbuilders.nz

www.jdbuilders.nz

Palmerston – High School Monkey Bars

Heritage Barn

A few years ago, an., an ecolabel was launched with big ambitions – to help tackle construction and demolition waste in New Zealand.

Why an ecolabel? Its creator, Environmental Choice New Zealand (ECNZ), sets the highest standards for environmental preferability in New Zealand. If you see a product, such as a cleaning product – or even toilet paper – with the ECNZ logo, you can be assured the manufacturer has done everything they could do to create better environmental outcomes, from material sourcing through to end-of-life solutions.

ECNZ decided it was time we collectively understood what best practice means when it comes to dealing with construction and demolition waste. Over a period of 12 months, ECNZ consulted with experts in the field and developed a thorough specification that is available online for free public viewing.

ECNZ general manager, Francesca Lipscombe, says the ecolabel is right for organisations that care about sustainability, want to do it well, and want to be recognised for their efforts – especially by their customers. “Having external validation gives businesses an advantage, especially in a sector that is increasingly under the

microscope by Government, councils and the public,” Francesca says.

The resulting specification, Construction and Demolition Waste Services (EC-59 C&D Waste), outlines in detail how to effectively and efficiently deal with construction and demolition waste. For example, it requires separating waste on-site

and achieving at least 70 percent diversion from landfill.

The great news for architects, builders, and developers is that the ECNZ ecolabel for construction and demolition waste supports Green Star accreditation.

For more information visit: www.wasteminz.org.

The importance of waste reduction THE PUMPHOUSE

DID YOU KNOW A FAMILY OF FOUR CAN PRODUCE 34 LITRES OF MOISTURE A DAY THROUGH EVERYDAY TASKS?

Air with a higher level of moisture takes more energy to heat, which will increase the household energy bills or reduce your thermal comfort.

SNOWTEMP can provide the right solutions to ensure your home is energy efficient to heat with reduced odours and increased fresh, dry air.

SnowTemp Heating Solutions

While necessity may be the mother of invention, it’s increasing costs that spawn efficiency.

Before the ’70s, we happily cranked up the thermostat when the house felt chilly. Once heating costs went through the roof, though, we all put on sweaters and started looking for ways to save.

And, with up to 40 percent of our heating dollar going to air infiltration - otherwise known as drafts - sealing the place up began to seem like the best defence against high heating bills.

Over a period of time, older homes began to sport new, tight windows and doors,

insulation and vapor-barrier improvements, modern sealants, and caulk for every crack through which air might pass.

New homes left the drawing board designed to be air tight, and builders became familiar with the new materials and skills needed to meet market demand and updated regulations.

Homes were finally becoming thermally efficient. What some began to wonder, though, was whether they were habitable.

It turns out that those heat-robbing drafts had a role in the ecosystem of the homethey provided fresh air to breathe. Without realising it, builders before the energy crisis had been installing an effective, albeit

haphazard, ventilation system. If you could afford the heating bills, it worked.

Newer homes may be less draughty, but concern is growing that they are accumulating too much internal moisture.

Ventilation is key, Snow Temp ltd can provide the right solutions for your home to ensure your home is aired warm and healthy.

Setting the standard for waterproofing

The Waterproofing Membrane Association Inc (WMAI) has developed a suite of code of practice documents in conjunction with MBIE for the purpose of developing acceptable solutions for the NZBC and to raise the standard for New Zealand builds.

WMAI chairperson, Chris Withers, says this is because people want first class buildings which call for high standards in waterproofing and moisture control.

“Part of this is to have the information and training available for installers, architects and designers,” Chris says.

The association says that currently, the most commonly utilized external waterproof membranes can only be considered as an alternative solution in building consent

applications unless they are Butyl rubber or EPDM membranes.

These membrane types are included as acceptable solutions in E2 External Moisture.for E3 Internal Moisture.

MBIE has cited the Internal Wet Area Membrane (IWAM) Code of Practice (chapters 1-4) as an ‘Acceptable Solution’, E3/ AS2 which should be used by designers, architects and the waterproofing industry as the go-to for information for any project that requires an internal waterproof membrane system.

Chris says part of developing these codes is also supporting the education of these standards and helping train the industry.

It’s not just a small group of people who need to be in the know - if the state of new builds is to improve, it’s an industry wide issue.

Adhesion Sealing

Whether you have a leaky basement or want to prevent a leaky basement, Adhesion Sealing are the guys to call. They have a range of products for both new builds and existing structures and have been waterproofing basements in the Otago area for over 36 years.

In addition to this, Adhesion Sealing also completes the following work to protect your building structure and keep water out.

• Sealants – Floor/wall sealants, hygienic sealants, and decorative sealants

• Roof and deck membranes –For flat roof areas or trafficable decks

• Concrete repair and protection – repairs to spalling or damaged concrete

• Floor levelling and toppings –cement based, resin based for interior or exterior use

• Hygienic floor and wall toppings – for commercial kitchens, labs etc.

• High pressure injection – for structural use or for fixing leaks

• Seismic joints – for floor, wall or roof joints

The main documents the association has been working on and have completed, are the Code of Practice for Internal Wet Area Membranes (IWAM) and the Code of Practice for Reinforced Modified Bitumen Membrane Systems (RMBM) for Roofs and Decks, and the draft version of the Below Grade Tanking (BGT) code of practice.

The IWAM, which details selection, design and installation requirements for Internal Wet Area Membranes, has been cited by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment as E3/AS2, which is in effect now and must be used to demonstrate compliance to the New Zealand Building Code E3 Internal Moisture.

Chris says the acceptable solution for internal wet areas E3/AS2 is relevant now for all architects and designers who’ll

need to get familiar with the new information. He says they need to begin incorporating these changes into their designs when creating bathrooms and wet areas.

Waterproofing Membrane Association Inc

www.wmai.org.nz

• Roof & deck membranes

• Seismic FRP or Carbon Fibre systems – suitable for earthquake strengthening structural elements

• ProClima Weathertighness/ Airtightness – for energy efficient healthy structures. All products are installed by experienced applicators to meet Building Code requirements. Because we deal with more than one supplier, we are able to offer a range of products to suit all situations and budgets.

Give us a call to discuss your issue. Our experienced staff can visit either your site, or price off plans as required.

Adhesion Sealing

(03) 453-0791

dn@adhesionsealing.co.nz

www.adhesionsealing.co.nz

• Waterproofing & tanking

• Concrete protection & repairs

• Floor leveling, toppings & coatings

• Grouting & sealants

• Flooring screeds - epoxy & polyester

• HP injection epoxy & polyurethane

• Swimming pool sealing & coating

DUNEDIN (03) 453 0791

dn@adhesionsealing.co.nz

Robert Laing

Moving the earth for their clients

For concept to completion site works throughout the Dunedin and surrounding areas, Robert Laing Contracting has the expertise, experience and equipment to get the job done right.

Robert Laing puts the emphasis on reliability through quality workmanship, product guarantee and best practice.

It’s upon these qualities the team has built a strong, southern following over more than 10 years.

Experts in earthmoving, their services include trenching, mulching, excavation, house foundations, landscaping and site preparation.

Whether you are considering a complex project or you have a simpler, more straight-forward request in mind, Robert Laing

will be there to walk you through the entire process, having as little or as much involvement in your project as you dictate.

They have the skill, the experience and the machinery to tackle your project with ease. Wherever you are in Dunedin, they can deliver your job on time and within budget.

“We have the skill, the experience and the machinery to tackle your project with ease.

“Quality and professionalism is what we do.”

Contact

Range of services include:

• Trench digging

• Excavations and earthmoving

• Landscaping

• Site preparation

• House foundations

• Mulching.

We have the skill, the experience and the machinery to tackle your project with ease.

Quality and professionalism is what we do.

Winning apartment architecture

As more people look to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, locations such as Wanaka and Queenstown are more and more popular.

With their mountainous views, lakeside locations, endless entertainment and intuitive town centres, what’s not to love?

So, as more people make the move, more housing solutions

are required – and not just singular houses. Apartment complexes are becoming more common in these areas to manage the rising populations. One such apartment complex project has recently taken out a top spot in the Master Builders’ House of the Year 2022 Awards. Christie Brothers Building won the National Master Build 10 Year Guarantee Multi Unit (Apartments/Duplexes/Terrace Housing) category for their two homes in Wanaka.

The two double-story apartments on Upton Street have been cleverly designed by the multi-award-winning company. Designed to capture the sun, these apartments take advantage of their amazing location and showcase the views on offer.

Not

They are also extremely functional, enhancing the lives of those living in them. Christie Brothers effortlessly combine style and functionality to create modern, sleek and cohesive apartments.

The mix of exterior cladding, vertical cedar shiplap and the coloursteel wrapped around the garages have been perfectly installed. The joinery throughout has been well fitted, while the schist stone highlights the large gas fire which provides the perfect amount of heat and ambience for a cosy winter’s night.

Given that Wanaka can get as low as -2 degrees overnight, having a fire that’s both goodlooking and highly functional is essential. It’s just another way these apartments have been crafted with the nature of Wanaka in mind.

Just Plumbing Ltd services the Cromwell region. Please make contact to see how we can help.

These award-winning apartments are the culmination of skills, talent and sheer hard work from the Christie Brothers who’ve got 25 years of crafting luxury, architectural homes in Wanaka.

The open plan kitchen, living and dining areas all open out onto the seamlessly connected private alfresco deck, providing the perfect indoor-outdoor flow for summer BBQ’s. With an average temperature of 25 degrees in the summer, a private deck is an excellent addition.

These award-winning apartments are the culmination of skills, talent and sheer hard work from the Christie Brothers who’ve got 25 years of crafting

luxury, architectural homes in Wanaka. The brothers have been recognised by the Master Builders awards before – taking out silver and gold awards, regionally and nationally.

About Master Builders

Celebrating excellence in New Zealand since 1991, the Registered Master Builders’ House of the Year celebrates the best homes, renovations and builders across Aotearoa.

In a first for the competition, the National Supreme House of the Year Award has been split into two, recognising homes under and over $1 million. The new award has been introduced to better reflect the market and

celebrate top builders across different price brackets.

The industry celebrated the House of the Year National Awards in-person for the first time in two years, with nearly 300 entries in 2022, across eight regions.

Taking the stress out of moving home

Moving home is said to be one of the most stressful things you can do. So here are some tips on how to make moving your household as stress-free as possible.

Start packing early Everyone always underestimates the packing time needed to pack small items. If packing yourself start well before the moving date. Do not leave it for the day before the move.

Mark boxes clearly by room Mark boxes clearly as to which room you want them placed in at your new house. An unmarked box slows up moving and causes confusion.

Don’t under-fill packing boxes Partially filled boxes may collapse if heavy items are placed on top of them. Try to distribute your things evenly in the available boxes.

Avoid overloading boxes

Never overload boxes to the point of bulging. If your box cannot close, then you have packed too much into it.

Desk drawers and wardrobes

Ensure that all contents are removed from desk draws and wardrobes prior to the move.

Make lists and label your packing boxes

Make a list of what’s in each box. Keep it simple but make sure it will allow you to easily find where everything is packed.

Pack heavy – pack light Pack heavy items in small boxes and lighter items in larger boxes. Don’t fill a huge box with books then try and pick it up.

Plates and records

Plates and records should both be packed vertically on end, rather than placed flat and stacked.

Chests of drawers

Remove all breakable items from chests of drawers; clothing and soft items may remain. Try not to overload the draws.

Pack separately for the first 24-48 hours

Don’t forget to plan for the first night in your new home. Pack the items you’ll need for the first night in an easy to find box or suitcase.

Technology

Take a photo of how your electronics are connected so you can remember how and where all the wires go.

TDG Environmental

TDG Environmental is Aotearoa’s go-to infrastructure maintenance and technology specialist. It’s proudly an Australianowned company with employees based in both Australia and Aotearoa. Employees provide services in innovative problem-solving to stormwater and important infrastructure assets.

Customer-focused, fast and efficient, trust-worthy, and highquality services that offer value for money and always puts safety first in all operations.

The company was established in 1989 and is all about providing exceptional customer service and state-of-the-art solutions as its main propositions and is proud to have developed into the leader of their field.

Merged with world-leading technologies, knowledgeable employees, and long-term industry experience, TDG can carry out tasks – no matter how big or small – from blocked pipes to serving large arrangements of Grass Pollutant Traps.

The team believes success is achieved when its operations are sustainable, trustworthy and good for the environment and customers.

TDG operates a fleet of over 250 vehicles. These vehicles are used vitally for infrastructure maintenance projects in civil construction and civic areas.

For instance:

• Drain and pipe cleaning

• Hydro Excavation

• Utility locating

• Bulk waste transport

• Pipe relining from 100mm to 2500mm

• Pipeline assessment

• Gross Pollutant Traps (GPT)

• Pipe patching

• Liquid waste management

• Vacuum tanker

• CCTV Condition Inspection

• Sewerage systems asset maintenance

• Material recycling

• Laser Profiling

• MSI Profiling

• Confined space entry works in

• Private Household drainage and unblocking work.

The team is committed to running the company in an effective and sustainable way that is accredited through the ISO certification of their managing system.

The system makes sure everything runs smoothly, safely and responsibly. It ensures the company can support the staff and also keep them safe whilst ensuring the team provides high-quality solutions to customers with a predominant focus on sustainability.

TDG provides services 24/7 ranging from programmed and review maintenance contracts to emergency and casual call-out responses. With more than 450 employees and over 250 vehicles, the team is able to do anything and everything fast and efficiently.

The company’s operating model process ensures the team gets the project done correctly the first time, always. With more than 30 years of experience, customers can feel stress-free knowing they are in good hands, as the team delivers outstanding services promptly.

The team will follow a continuous process and will keep customers up-to-date, so they’re kept in the loop during the entire time.

Another way TDG has zero environmental impact is because all combination vacuum jetting trucks are equipped with dedicated water recycling systems. All trucks are licensed

to carry various waste materials including stormwater wastes, non-destructive digging materials and dangerous wastes.

The company’s state-of-the-art mapping, GPS and specialised online software give exceptional transparency to its customers. TDG aims to make sure the environment is clean and green by maintaining stormwater infrastructure in Aotearoa, New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.

Customers can request an all-inclusive quote online: tdgenvironmental.com.

To get in touch with the Aotearoa TDG office today, contact 0800 249 376 where you will be connected with a local branch, from Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Blenheim or Christchurch.

A friendly team member will happily answer any queries!

Innovation, continuous improvement, and world-class customer service have been the foundation for building and growing our business. No matter the job, we have the relevant experience and resources to support you in a cost-effective, responsible, and sustainable manner.

WHAT WE DO

CIPP - UV LINING FOLD/FORM LINING

TDG Environmental’s Fold/Form lining system involves the expansion of a continuous coil specially formulated PVC pipe to form a tight fitting liner within the existing host pipe. Fold/Form Linings are designed to deliver a stand-alone structural liner, providing the same strength and durability of a new PVC pipe without the need of excavation. Fold and Form is used in diameter from 150mm to 300mm.

TDG Environmental’s innovative complete pipe rehabilitation system utilizing exciting, UV curing technology to its fullest potential. Rehabilitated Pipeline sections can expect a service life of approximately 50 years, allowing for a prolonged depreciation period. UV lining is used in diameters from 150mm to 2500mm.